Typically, the Revival churches mentioned on this forum include all branches of the Revival 'family tree', although the various churches of the 'tree' do not recognise or talk to each other. They include 'The Revival Fellowship, The Revival Centres International, the Geelong Revival Centre, The Christian Assemblies International, and the many offshoots that carry the 'Revival' doctrine on with them.
In the 1940s ex-AOG pastors led by Leo C. Harris, were convinced of the British 'Israel theory' and formed the National Revival Crusade. They believed modern nations of British decent should realise their 'Israelite identity'. They also believed that the belief in Jesus, alongside with the 'Holy Spirit' experience of 'speaking in tongues' (ecstatic speech - glossolalia) was essential to be 'Christian' and a member of 'the' church. Baptism by full immersion into water was also mandatory.
Noel Hollins and Lloyd Longfield (neither trained in theology or ministry) rose through the ranks as the church evolved into the 'Revival Centres of Australia'. They believe themselves to be the only 'true' church and all others are 'apostate'.
Being a Revivalist
In the main, Revival Churches share the following beliefs with slight variations between them:
Salvation rules
- All members must exercise free vocalisation (speaking in tongues), a new 'language' of random morphemes that only God understands.
- All members must read a creed of beliefs before being fully immersed into a 'baptismal tank'.
- Revivalists believe that once someone is saved, they are always saved, but if Jesus returns and finds them 'slacking', they might not 'make it'.
Assembly rules and doctrines
- Members must only marry other church members
- Members are not allowed to read the material of other churches
- Members discovered to have had sex outside of marriage are ex-communicated, or banned for six months, or made to marry.
- Divorce is unacceptable under any condition
- Women are not allowed to deliver talks (sermons)
- Members are not allowed to drink alcohol of any sort.
- 10%, at least, of members' incomes are encouraged to be donated weekly.
- Members can be excommunicated for varying amounts of time for breaking various rules.
- The shunning of ex-members is encouraged.
- Easter and Christmas are not to be celebrated with any religious connection.
Revival Centre meetings
- Generally meetings are held Wednesday and twice Sunday, house-meetings on Friday, and all are compulsory.- Meetings start with a half hour of religious choruses (short ditties) finishing with a hymn. Then there are 2 or 3 testimonies, and a 45 minute talk.
- The second half of the meeting contains the eating and drinking of the 'communal' body and blood of Christ, after another 'talk'.
- Youth group on Saturday nights - compulsory.
- Regular 'fasting' - Members go without eating for up to 3 days culminating with a 5 hour meeting of sermons and tongue speaking sessions.
Other Revival beliefs
- British Israelism - Europeans are believed to be descendants of the 'lost ten tribes of Israel'.
- Bible Numerics - the mathematics of bible words to prove their doctrine and the bible.- The very 'soon' destruction of the earth when Jesus returns to set up his new kingdom.
- The Great Pyramid is a prophetic device foretelling the soon return of Jesus.
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Many errors here
ReplyDeleteI spend 9 years of my youth in revival centres.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the gift of tongues is the initial manifestation of the holy spirit.
It's pointless without the anointing.
I heard many such so called testimonies over those years, where people said that they couldn't control their mouth's but feld no change or difference.
The anointing of the holy spirit is in my experience the most powerful experience.
It guides and teaches the individual through life.
It's my conclusion that a life change within is what christ wants to give, not just a moving mouth.
I agree on that
Deleteit's not what you can do for the kingdom
but what it does with you .it matters nothing of works or deeds .
meditation guides inspires it personal development
the onointing comes from meditation .
I received toungues 4 years before I heard about it not knowing as it chose me
I was ordained a pastor once in another organisation but turned it down as I am bad person I speak to people in my daily life telling truths I know about life .I'm full of spirit I read not the Bible 50 years of spirit infilling . I sow seeds I just claim there souls for kingdom of God .
they have to come before him to give an account of there life non of my business .I'm given future events I'm believing I have and can change out comes . I pray for healing of others but all secret .no pressure to perform or be any one I just choose to be responsible of my actions .if I condem not my self I left alone of condemnation and this guides me .
the light exposed me and I'm no good as a person .I have failed my whole life of 68 years .never achieved anything good
The more you sit in a building listening to someone else's doctrine, the less chance you have experiencing the anointing.
ReplyDelete(That has been my 38 year journey.)
That’s been my 15 year journey. There are many more legalistic rules for salvation or just lifestyle rules (they call them ‘guidelines’ but you get punished by exile for a period if you don’t follow them). There’s only so long you can pull the wool over peoples eyes. Long term members were leaving around when I did and we all count our blessings for being free!
ReplyDeleteTrue
DeleteWent once ,it's a cult no need to ever go there again
ReplyDeleteFoolish thinking I say
ReplyDeleteFoolish thinking I say
ReplyDeleteFoolish thinking I say
ReplyDelete“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
ReplyDeleteRomans 5:1 ESV
As a 16yr veteran of ARC/ARF in Adelaide, most of what is said is true, except what is said about Christmas and Easter.... well at least it is in SA. The events are talked about constantly, but it is seen as hypocritical to only talk about it at Christmas and Eastertime. It’s seen as disrespectful to only give Christ 2 days a year of acknowledgement. Perhaps it’s changed since I left... I don’t know.
ReplyDeleteRules are even worse for children and teenagers. Many of my friends were “put out” (told not to attend meetings or Young Peoples) because they stood up to a pastor or other member of the oversight, got caught smoking or just didn’t have the right personality. We were encouraged to only marry within the church, and only with the consent of the oversight. You were strongly encouraged to marry that person, no kissing or even touching before marriage.... no hand-holding before 6months into the relationship, at which point you were also encouraged to be engaged to marry.... all at 16yrs for girls and 17yrs for boys. These rules weren’t exactly written down for us to follow, but if you broke them, it’s a visit to the Pastors office for you.